Jean Padeface (2023) Painting by Grotesk

Yannick Duriez, a contemporary French artist, is known for his unique creations in the realm of absurd and burlesque paintings. Beginning his artistic journey as an illustrator and painter, Duriez honed his skills on diverse canvases, including walls, and furthered his craft through both workshop endeavors and formal artistic studies. This fusion of practical experience and academic exploration provided him with a robust foundation, both technically and culturally.

Duriez's artistic portfolio stands out through various collections, each distinctive in its thematic focus. These collections, such as "Les Fusains," "Ghost," "Eros," and "Vegetalys," showcase the breadth of his creativity. Delving into the compositions and techniques of renowned Masters like Rubens, Caravaggio, Delatour, and Courbet, Duriez reinterprets well-known paintings to weave a common thread through his work – that of "Vanity." Employing the charcoal technique, he gives rise to the "Humour Nouart" collection, injecting a touch of levity into the serious theme of mortality. With a belief that humor lessens the gravity of death, Duriez playfully illustrates the ephemeral nature of life.

In his latest productions, Duriez's artistic evolution is evident in a style that seamlessly blends classic and contemporary elements. Within the collection titled "Baigneurs Burlesques," he challenges conventional notions of 'good taste.' Here, his exploration takes a daring turn, featuring absurd compositions on larger formats that portray characters both grotesque and endearing, emerging as icons of beauty. This laughable universe, intertwined with a subtle undercurrent of fear, invites viewers to contemplate the boundaries between realism and absurdity.

Yannick Duriez's art not only reflects technical prowess but also encapsulates a philosophy that finds beauty in the humorous acknowledgment of life's transience. His paintings, born from a marriage of classical inspiration and contemporary interpretation, beckon audiences to explore a parallel world where absurdity and reality coexist, inviting a simultaneous reaction of amusement and introspection.

• Nationality: FRANCE
• Date of birth : unknown date
• Artistic domains:
• Groups: Contemporary French Artists